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August 18, 2012

Filthy Review - 'Cell Count'

Cell Count (2012)

Review by Jude Felton

It was back in 1986 when I got introduced to the twisted
world of David Cronenberg, with his majestic version of The Fly. Watching this
twisted tale inspired me to check out his earlier movies, and his fascination
with what we now call body horror. Movies such as Videodrome, Scanners and The
Brood, amongst others, were all devoured and enjoyed. This was a different
style of horror movie than I was used to, but it resonated deep inside me. The
reason I mention the early films of Cronenberg is quite simple; Todd E. Freeman’s
Cell Count evokes the spirit of these grisly delights.

Cell Count takes place in a research hospital facility,
where Russell Carpenter and his wife Sadie have booked themselves into. Sadie
has a terminal disease and is advised by Dr. Brandt that they are working on an
experimental cure; it will only work though if both Sadie and Russell stay at
the facility whilst it is monitored. This being an old school style horror
flick though, means that the path to recovery will be anything but
straightforward.

The cure has side effects, and the other residents all
begin to show signs of this. Paranoia rises, bizarre events occur and questions
arise as to what the Doctor’s real intentions are.

Freeman has delivered a movie here that constantly forces
the viewer to ask questions as to what the real motives are, and always remains
thoroughly unpredictable as to the direction the plot takes. The clinically
sterile location plays at complete odds with the undefined disease, the cure
and its effects, and so when the more visceral scenes arrive there is far more
of an impact. There truly are some weird and wonderful moments contained within
Cell Count; none of which I will spoil here. Needless to say though they are
not only unexpected, they are incredibly well executed.

Although I don’t know the exact budget for the film, it
is quite apparent that it was not especially high, and Freeman has delivered a
film that makes great use of the resources available. The effects are terrific,
with only one latter CGI moment coming across as a little out of place, with
most of the effects being of a practical nature.

Cell Count is not a film that guides you along in a
by-the-numbers script; instead it demands your attention, as it won’t
necessarily go in the direction you might expect. There are a few moments where
the script seemed a little hokey, but for the most part there was a genuine
sense of paranoia and confusion, and the cast pull it off exceptionally well.

It is definitely a movie of questions, rather than one
that attempts to give you all the answers, so if a cut and dry film that neatly
wraps everything up is your cup of tea, you might be a little disappointed.
Instead, if you like a movie where you are required to give a little thought
to, and indeed come up with some of your own conclusions, this could well be
right up your street.

Cell Count has elements of movies such as The Experiment,
Exam and Cabin Fever, as well as the previously mentioned Cronenberg movies,
but enough identity of its own to stand alone as a fine addition to the body
horror sub-genre.

This is an intense movie that keeps you guessing, throws
in plenty of grue and delivers its fair share of chills. For those that say
there is no good new horror being made anymore I suggest checking out this well-crafted
slice of horror.